Committee on Procedures
Minutes of proceedings 10 September 2025
Committee on Procedures, minutes of proceedings 10 September 2025.pdf (148.2 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)
Maolíosa McHugh MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Órlaithí Flynn MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Danny Donnelly MLA
Aoife Finnegan MLA
William Irwin MLA
Apologies:
Robbie Butler MLA
Trevor Clarke MLA
Cara Hunter MLA
In Attendance:
Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk
Christine Darrah, Assembly Clerk
Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk
Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer
The meeting started at 10.01 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
The Chairperson extended the Committee’s congratulations to Cara Hunter MLA on her recent marriage.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2025.
3. Matters Arising
None.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session.
The meeting moved into closed session at 10.05 a.m.
4. Scrutiny of Delegated Powers in Bills – Consideration of a draft Standing Order and Legal Advice
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Maeve Corrigan, Assembly Legal Adviser, to the meeting.
Ms Corrigan outlined a draft Standing Order and associated legal advice to provide for the scrutiny of delegated powers in Bills for committees by the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly ,
Aiofe Finnegan joined the meeting at 10.12 a.m.
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked Ms Corrigan and she left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that provision should be made in Standing Orders for the current role undertaken by Assembly Committees and the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly in relation to the scrutiny of delegated powers in Bills and the publication of the Examiner’s report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that consideration should be given to formalising the provision of a Delegated Powers Memorandum in Standing Orders.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission further legal advice and a revised draft Standing Order.
The meeting moved into public session at 10.43 a.m.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme for September to December 2025 and noted the arrangements for a review of its strategic priorities on 24 September 2025.
Agreed: The Committeeagreed the updated Forward Work Programme.
6. Correspondence
The Committee considered a response from the Speaker on the Committee’s Inquiry into the Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy and a range of issues relating to documentation for a proxy vote for long-term illness or injury..
Órlaithí Flynn left the meeting at 10.45 a.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite officials to attend the meeting on 24 September 2025 to provide further details on the matters covered in the letter from the Speaker.
7. Chairperson’s Business
None.
8. Any Other Business
None.
9. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.46 a.m.
Kellie Armstrong MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
24 September 2025
